Florida's Sixth District Court of Appeal

In an effort to save litigants time and money by resolving disputes more quickly and less expensively than the appeal process and to help narrow and clarify issues for appeal, the Sixth District Court of Appeal has adopted an appellate mediation program for certain cases effective July 15, 2023.

                                                                  Mediation

In ongoing efforts to continually improve the judicial process, the Florida Supreme Court recommended in November 2021 the addition of a sixth district court of appeal. The recommendation was based on work conducted by the District Court of Appeal Workload and Jurisdiction Assessment Committee, formed by then-Chief Justice Charles Canady. The Committee noted the addition of a sixth district court of appeal would also enhance citizen trust and confidence in the judiciary.

Subsequently, the Legislature enacted bill HB 7027, based on the Committee’s recommendation, which was then signed into law by Governor DeSantis in June 2022, creating the first new appellate court since the 1979 creation of the Fifth District Court of Appeal.

The operation of the new DCA is effective January 1, 2023.

The purpose of Florida’s District Courts of Appeal is to provide the opportunity for thoughtful review of decisions of lower tribunals by multi-judge panels. District Courts of Appeal correct harmful errors and ensure that decisions are consistent with our rights and liberties. This process contributes to the development, clarity, and consistency of the law.

Through Fla. Admin. Order. No. AOSC22-18, then-Chief Justice Canady established the Workgroup on the Implementation of an Additional District Court of Appeal. The Workgroup is charged with identifying and making recommendations on the various operational and fiscal matters that are necessary to ensure the ongoing effective and efficient functioning of Florida’s district courts of appeal through this transition.

Chief Judge Meredith Sasso was appointed Interim Chief Administrative Officer and chairs the Workgroup. The Workgroup and several subcommittees have begun work addressing all operational areas including human resources; interim and permanent facilities; equipment; technology, security, fiscal, and administrative services; case processing and disposition; and interim governance issues.

Charles R. Crawford has been selected to serve as marshal for the 6th District Court of Appeal. Marshal Crawford, a constitutional officer, is responsible for the executive oversight and management of all nonjudicial operations at the court, including security and facility operations, budget and finance, payroll and human resources, public information, administrative records, and computer operations.

Marshal Crawford served as marshal for the 5th District Court of Appeal for ten years and has an extensive background in law enforcement.

Stacey Pectol will be joining the 6th DCA as the clerk. She is currently serving as the clerk of the Arkansas Supreme Court, a position she has held since 2014. 

Sarah Corbett, who is currently a career staff attorney for the 2nd DCA, has been selected as Director of Central Staff. She has served the 2nd DCA since 2003 and is currently a law clerk for Judge Andrea Smith.

The establishment of the new appellate court realigns Florida’s circuit courts into six districts. Those changes are effective January 1, 2023. The Fourth Judicial Circuit moves from the First District into the Fifth District, composed of the Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, and Eighteenth judicial circuits; the Ninth Judicial Circuit moves from the Fifth District into the newly created Sixth District, composed of the Ninth, Tenth, and Twentieth judicial circuits; and the Sixth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth judicial circuits remain in the Second District.  The boundaries of the Third and Fourth district courts are unaffected by the new law.